Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Steps To Success: The Lived Experiences Of College Students On The Autism Spectrum, Magdalene Pearl

Online Theses and Dissertations

Young adults on the autism spectrum are likely to experience an occupational imbalance after graduating high school. This is evidenced by the approximately 37% to 50% of youth with autism who report unemployment or not continuing their education after high school and their researched struggles with managing mental health conditions, living independently in the community, and engaging in social activities. In order to better understand the perspectives of young adults with autism experiencing an occupational imbalance after graduating high school, this thesis aims to explore the experiences of college students with autism using a qualitative approach. College students with autism …

Inclusive Sports Environments: Youth Gymnastics Coaches’ Perceptions On Promoting Inclusivity For Autistic Athletes, Alec D. Sheaffer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Despite the positive physical, psychological, and social benefits of sports, children with disabilities participate in sports at a lower rate than their typically developing peers. Partnerships between occupational therapists and youth sports providers can facilitate inclusive sports environments that enable equitable access to sports for all children.

Purpose: The purpose of the Capstone Project was to explore youth gymnastics coaches’ perceptions on inclusive sports participation following an educational module.

Theoretical Framework. The occupational justice framework (Townsend & Wilcock, 2004) guided the development of the project through the view that equitable participation in preferred occupations is an individual right.

Methods. …

Ot Cht Treatment And Intervention For Adult Clients After A Nerve Transfer Surgery: A Pilot Survey, Katheryn Fister

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: This study used a pilot survey to collect data regarding how current occupational therapists who are also certified hand therapists are working with adult clients after a nerve trans- fer surgery. The pilot survey was conducted virtually via email and created using Qualtrics software.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to create a survey tool and obtain data to describe current occupational therapy practice trends, outcomes, and education for clients after a nerve transfer surgery. The research sought to determine what interventions are commonly incorporated, what are common outcomes, what education is being provided, what is included …

Occupational Therapy Using Pipj Block Orthosis For Conservative Treatment Of Trigger Finger: A Retrospective Study, Jee Yoon (Kelly) Chong

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Trigger finger (TF) is a common hand condition with a prevalence rate of 2.6% in the general population (Merry et al., 2020). With clinical symptoms of pain, swelling, and clicking or locking of a digit, TF can cause functional limitations in using the involved hand during daily activities, affecting quality of life and activity participation.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of occupational therapy with the use of PIPJ block orthosis in reducing pain and triggering symptoms and improving function for individuals with trigger fingers in the setting of outpatient OT therapy clinics. …

Resilience As A State, "A Learned Trait," Among The Brain Injury Population: A Narrative Analysis, Bailey Gifford

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are acquired injuries resulting from an external trauma to the head (Brain Injury Association of America, 2019). The impact of a TBI is significant with those affected experiencing cognitive decline, decreased mobility, communication barriers, reduced social participation and impairments with engagement in valued occupations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the existing literature regarding state resilience for persons who have experienced TBI.

Theoretical Framework: Occupational Adaptation Model promotes occupational performance in meaningful activities through adaptation, which is a continual process based on fluctuating changes in adversity.

Methods: This project design was a …

Administrators' Perspectives On Successful Implementation Of Occupational Therapy Services In The School-Based Setting, Suanne M. Waldron

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Best practice for school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) alludes to collaboration, consultation, and in-context services in utilizing occupational therapy’s expanded roles to best meet the needs of students. Research supports the workload model as an effective means of maximizing student outcomes and addressing the needs of all students. Many studies explore teacher and occupational therapist perspectives on collaboration, barriers, and facilitators to implementing best practice and a workload model. However, little is reported regarding administrators' perspectives in these areas.

Purpose: This capstone study focused on identifying administrators' perceptions of valued, effective, and successful occupational therapy (OT) services in their districts. …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Facilitation And Compliance With Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization (Cisc), Abigail P. Hernandez

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) (4th ed.) states that toileting and toilet hygiene includes management of continence needs, including catheters and the necessary equipment to maintain bladder control (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020b). However, the overall perspectives of occupational therapy’s role are poorly understood.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to collect data about occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' practice trends in client management of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC), including perceived competency, education and training, and frequency and extent of involvement in supporting clients with CISC needs.

Theoretical Framework: The study is also supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association …

The Effectiveness And Feasibility Of Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching With Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Case Study, Mara Sampson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: College students with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience occupational performance barriers, impeding participation. Limited evidence-based techniques are available to therapists working with this population. Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) has been found to be an effective treatment technique for improving occupational performance and self-determination for populations outside of college students with ID.

Purpose: The purpose of this experimental case study was to test whether participation in a telehealth OPC program for college students with ID increases occupational performance, occupational satisfaction, and self-determination.

Theoretical Framework: Self-Determination Theory and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) provide for the theoretical …

Impact Of Iadl Interventions On Discharge Readiness: Musculoskeletal Conditions In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Kasi B. Gannon

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the highest contributing cause of the need for rehabilitation globally, and are common conditions treated by occupational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation. Basic activities of daily living (BADLs) are the main focus of rehabilitation in these settings, which may leave clients unprepared to complete important higher level instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at home.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) intervention and training has on individuals’ perceived discharge readiness and quality indicator scoring for those admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility with a musculoskeletal …

Use Of An Education And Coaching Intervention To Promote Occupational Balance In Graduate Occupational Therapy Students, Linda M. Rini, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This small-scale pilot study was developed to examine the perceived occupational balance of graduate occupational therapy students and implement an education and coaching intervention to promote occupational balance for those who have difficulty achieving and maintaining it. Although literature provides many examples of interventions to facilitate stress relief in graduate students, this is the first to address the promotion of occupational balance in this effort, which has been identified as a student-reported need. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data on occupational therapy students’ satisfaction with their balance of activity in all areas of …

Learning Outcomes Of Hybrid In-Person And At-Home Orthosis Fabrication Instruction For Occupational Therapy Students, Evelyn Lee, Amanda Leung, Sylvia Langlois, Susan Hannah

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students at one university received all orthosis fabrication education through an in-person laboratory-based environment supported by clinicians and instructional videos. Due to the pandemic restrictions, orthosis fabrication labs for occupational therapy students were transitioned to a hybrid in-person and at-home supported lab. Presently, there is no research investigating how a hybrid in-person orthosis lab and at-home orthosis fabrication experience impacts the professional practice skill development of occupational therapy students entering the workforce. This research examined the learning outcomes of participation in a hybrid orthosis fabrication experience consisting of one in-person laboratory-based experience and …

The Use Of Virtual Reality For Student Training On Bias And Microaggressions, Razan Hamed, Elizabeth Gdanski, Jooeun Kim, Julianne Le, Amy Lopez, Azmina Panjwani, Allyson Tong, Gloriana Wilson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive innovative technology that can be used with occupational therapy students for bias training in preparation for fieldwork and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of VR as a complementary educational tool in bias and microaggressions (MA) training for entry-level occupational therapy students. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in an 8-week course on diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional skills with a total of 48 first-year entry-level occupational therapy students. We used eight simulated VR cases for all students. Data was collected using a mixed-method survey to …

Defining Reasoning, Reflective Practice, And Evidence-Based Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Delphi Study, Hannah K. Burke, Pat L. Sample, Anita C. Bundy, Shelly J. Lane

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice are essential skills for occupational therapy practitioners, but it is unclear how these skills are defined in occupational therapy education. We used Delphi methodology to explore educator conceptualizations of clinical reasoning, professional reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice. Eligible participants on the Delphi expert panel were required to have been an educator in an occupational therapy program for at least three years at the master’s level or higher, to be a current occupational therapy educator, based in the United States, and available across multiple survey rounds. Nine participants completed all three survey rounds. Among …

Mentored Practice In Aota Fellowship Programs: An Exploratory Phenomenological Study, Jennifer L. Bergstrom

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

American Occupational Therapy Association fellowship programs are an emerging post-professional educational opportunity aimed at developing practitioners in specialized areas of occupational therapy practice. Mentored practice is a critical and substantial component of fellowship programs; however, the experiences of mentors and fellows have not been well described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to describe the mentored practice experience from the perspectives of the fellow and mentor. This study sought to understand the perceived influence mentored practice may have on the advancement of skills and knowledge in specialty practice areas of occupational therapy. A qualitative exploratory phenomenological design …

Feasibility Of Mindfulness At Work: A Continuing Education Program For Occupational Therapy Practitioners Experiencing Burnout, Susan M. Persia, Amy P. Carroll

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapy practitioners, are experiencing epidemic levels of burnout. Professional organizations have prioritized research and programming to address burnout. This study evaluated the feasibility of an evidence-based virtual mindfulness continuing education program, Mindfulness at Work, and the mindfulness strategies participants learned and embedded into their workday. This program was developed and facilitated by an occupational therapist who is also a registered advanced yoga teacher. A total of 11 occupational therapy practitioners experiencing burnout met with the facilitator for once-weekly synchronous sessions over three weeks. OT practitioners were taught mindfulness strategies to use throughout their workday. Participants practiced …

Enhancing Simulation Fidelity In Occupational Therapy Education: Considerations For Standardized Patient Training And Implementation, John V. Rider, Linda Frasier, Jessica Parkin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The use of high-fidelity simulation and standardized patients (SPs) in occupational therapy (OT) education is expanding. However, the implementation of simulation varies across programs, leading to inconsistent outcomes and research limitations. Furthermore, details on SP use and training are lacking in OT literature. This article aims to provide OT educators with considerations for improving simulation fidelity by effectively using highly trained SPs. For example, recruiting SPs from diverse backgrounds is necessary to improve sociological fidelity, and proper training of SPs is required to ensure psychological fidelity. This article also emphasizes the need for standardized training for SPs and recommends following …

Advancing Entry-Level Otd Students From Novice To Competent With Foundational Skills Using Cognitive Apprenticeship Constructs, Anna B. Galloway, Truly M. Hardemon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This manuscript describes how one entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) program used an innovative approach to scaffolding assignments through a cognitive apprenticeship (CA) framework. Cognitive apprenticeship strategies include learning in the context or culture of the profession. This is achieved through observation, coaching, engagement, and discovery of strategies by the instructor. This framework was implemented to facilitate the learning of occupational, activity, and task (OAT) analyses through a four-week module within a first-semester foundations course. Cognitive apprenticeship constructs were used as instructional teaching strategies including active learning, group facilitated assignments, hands on observation, and immediate feedback and modeling of professional …

Exploration Of Student Reflections Using The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (Rtss) As An Intervention Planning Framework, Tracey E. Recigno, Alison Bell, M. Ferraro

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Teaching intervention planning is enhanced with an intentional course design that incorporates critical thinking in order to prepare the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners. The context for this study was a physical disabilities intervention course for an entry-level occupational therapy program that used Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning as a basis for learning outcomes. A novel formative intervention planning assignment required students to use the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) as a framework to guide their thinking. A qualitative retrospective content analysis of student reflections at the end of the course revealed that the RTSS added value to their …

Supporting The Well-Being And Engagement Of Occupational Therapy Students Through Sensory Modulation: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Matson, Jo Linforth, Julie Hanna, Vikki Barnes-Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student well-being is an increasing area of concern within higher education and one of the biggest causes of attrition. This study sought to investigate the potential for sensory modulation strategies as an approach to support student well-being and engagement in studies through an action research project. Sixteen second-year occupational therapy students took part in a two-week trial of items designed to support sensory modulation, following which they were asked to complete an online survey evaluating the effectiveness of the item in relation to affect, regulation, attention, and activity. Eight students completed the survey containing a mix of Likert scale and …

Recommendations For Academic Programs To Best Support Occupational Therapy Students: Student Perspectives, Elena Wong Espiritu, Hanna Mcclain, R. David Phillippi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Declining occupational therapy student mental health and well-being is well described in the literature. However, there is a lack of literature describing recommendations from the student perspective that could help academic programs as they develop and implement support programming. Involving students in the process can be beneficial as they are experts in their experiences. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe recommendations current occupational therapy students had for their academic programs to best support them during their educational experience. The study sample consisted of 628 entry-level masters and doctoral occupational therapy students from 31 states. Participant responses …

Examining Minimal Important Change Of The Self-Assessment Scale Of Clinical Reasoning In Occupational Therapy, Sho Maruyama, Reiko Miyamoto, Satoru Amano, Takuto Nakamura, Peter Bontje

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of the study was to establish and quantify the minimal important change (MIC) value necessary to determine gains or losses in clinical reasoning during student fieldwork assignments as measured by the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy (SA-CROT). This multicenter prospective longitudinal study was conducted with students on their occupational therapy fieldwork in Japan. Two anchor-based methods were used to estimate the MIC values: a receiver operating characteristic-based method and a predictive modeling-based method. The MIC was adjusted based on the percentage of participants who exhibited improvement. Administered were the SA-CROT and the Global Rating of Change …

Book Review: The Path To Private Practice, Mary K. Thelander

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Path to Private Practice: A Roadmap for Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists Considering Private Practice (Castro-Casbon, 2023) invites clinicians to consider the benefits of entrepreneurship. The book discusses concerns in the medical and educational systems that may cause occupational therapists (OTs) and speech and language pathologists (SLPs) to experience burnout. The text encourages the reader to consider entering into part-time private practice. Though the book is authored by a SLP, the concerns and strategies discussed in the book are easily compatible with the OT profession. This review details the content of the individual chapters and offers a critical analysis …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Student Assessment Methods In Occupational Therapy Education, Breanna Adkins, Josh Bernstein

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The supporting evidence for student-centered assessment practices is well-documented in the literature for higher education, but not in the field of occupational therapy (OT) education. There is no agreed-upon best practice for student assessment in OT education from any professional OT governing body, nor is there current OT education research evaluating the relationship between types of assessment methods and their effectiveness. The purpose of the study was to determine OT educators’ perceived effectiveness of student assessment methods they used to measure student competency. A correlational design determined the strength of the relationship between these variables. Differences between OT Doctorate (OTD) …

Enhancing Student Perceptions Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit: An Interprofessional Simulation, Elizabeth Yost, Julie Jacob, Denise Campbell, Nicholas Prush, Leslie M. Smith

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Early mobility in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can improve a multitude of patient outcomes, and occupational therapists (OTs) play a valuable role as part of the interprofessional team, with the ability to address activities of daily living, functional cognition, psychological and communication needs, and more. In 2022, the first iteration of an ICU interprofessional education simulation (Sim-IPE) yielded poor outcomes for OT students. This study aimed to modify existing pre-learning activities in the Sim-IPE’s second iteration to improve OT students’ perceptions and professional role awareness in interprofessional ICU care. Students from Doctor of OT, Bachelor of Science Nursing, Doctor …

The Student Occupational Therapist Experience Of Bullying On Fieldwork Placement: An Exploratory Study, Jeffrey D. Boniface, Donna Drynan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Bullying is a widespread issue in higher education, notably in healthcare disciplines like nursing, medicine, and physical therapy. However, there is a paucity of research addressing bullying within occupational therapy, which is a relational healthcare discipline emphasizing meaningful relationships, mutual trust, and respect. This study investigated the experiences of student occupational therapists in Canada regarding bullying during their fieldwork placements through exploratory phenomenology. Data from nine former occupational therapy students were collected via focus groups and interviews. Thematic analysis unveiled common experiences including passive aggression, demeaning comments, and a lack of support. Three key themes emerged: the impact of power …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners' Expectations Of Entry-Level Doctorate Versus Master's Graduates, Monique C. Chabot, Sara K. Frye, Nakia Lynn, Kristy Meyer, Laronda Lockhart-Keene, Lydia Navarro-Walker, Sue Persia, Wendy Watcher-Schutz, Kevin Wegner, Michelle Gorenberg, Catherine Goodman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The dual-entry nature of occupational therapy has been a point of discussion for many years with explorations into the profession’s support for the different degree programs and definitions of entry-level practice being the primary foci in the literature. There has been no comparison of the expectations of occupational therapy educators and practitioners of entry-level doctorate and master’s students upon graduation despite differences in curricula and emphasis on advanced skills. This study utilized a descriptive quantitative survey to ask current educators and practitioners (n=124) to indicate their level of expectations of the two types of graduates for sixteen different clinical and …

Book Review: Documentation Manual For Occupational Therapy, Mary K. Thelander, Geneva L. Nolan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The updated fifth edition of Documentation Manual for Occupational Therapy (Gateley, 2024) offers instructors of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students familiar tools and updated content. Clear examples of every section of a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) note as well as steps to reach the composition of the note, such as skilled-problem statements and COAST (client, occupation, assist levels, specific condition and timeline) goals are tools that hold the client-centered and occupation focus clear. Worksheets within the chapters offer formative assessment of understanding of concepts. Specific updates to the fifth edition include expanded content on …

Life Balance, Stress, And Occupational Burnout In Occupational Therapy Assistant Students: An Exploratory Study, Olivia Hammond, Pamela Talero Cabrejo, Laura Cruz, Linda Lilly

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Research indicates that United States healthcare workers face significant burnout. College is a crucial period for preparing occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students to manage life balance, stress, and burnout as they transition into the workforce. However, there is limited understanding of these factors within this population. This study examined the relationship between OTA students' life balance and their perceived stress and occupational burnout, considering variables such as employment status, residential status, years of study, and age. A cross-sectional Qualtrics e-survey was administered to OTA students aged 18 and older, comprising a demographic survey, Life Balance Inventory (LBI), Perceived Stress Scale-Short …

Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: The Prevalence Of Trauma Among Students In A Master Of Science Program In Occupational Therapy, Amelia Wilson, Ruth Chen, Michelle P. Phoenix, Sarah Wojkowski, Sandra Vanderkaay

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Trauma impacts learning at all stages of education and can be particularly problematic at post-secondary levels and for people from equity-deserving groups. Understanding trauma can support effective teaching and learning. Research suggests that students who have experienced trauma may be more likely to enter healthcare professional programs. Research specific to occupational therapy (OT) students who have experienced trauma is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of trauma among Master of Science (MSc) OT students at a Canadian university. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was selected for data collection. CTQ is a validated retrospective, self-report tool …

The Potential Of Learner-Generated Podcasts For Reading In Occupational Therapy Education, Claire Giefer, Whitney Henderson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Research suggests that reading compliance among higher education students is low, warranting enhancement of educational practices to support reading, especially for students enrolled in health professional programs. Researchers used a cross-sectional study design to explore the effects of a learner-generated podcast assignment as a reading supplement in occupational therapy education using two different survey instruments assessing student perceptions and learning styles. Forty-three Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students participated in this study. Descriptive statistics indicated positive attitudes towards creating and preparing the podcasts but remained mostly neutral towards listening and watching podcasts. Tukey’s HSD test for multiple comparisons detected tactile learners …